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Yating Yang

A street cleaner and single mother of two sons has gained viral fame and been dubbed “the most well-known Thai cleaner” after being unexpectedly discovered by a Russian photographer.
The discovery led the young mother to become a model for a popular Thai cosmetics brand.
Known as Meen, the 28-year-old has two sons, aged 10 and six.
In March, while sweeping the streets, she was unexpectedly discovered by Russian photographer Semyon Rezchikov, who was exploring Bangkok’s Chinatown for inspiration and spotted her.
In Rezchikov’s photos, Meen appears in simple working attire with a broom and dustpan, her naturally tanned skin and comfortable smile capturing attention.

As Rezchikov carried a portable printer, he printed out the photo and gave it to Meen.
Although she was initially wary when the foreign man approached her, her face immediately lit up with a huge smile as soon as she saw the photo. Meen loved it so much that she could not stop staring at it.
With a shy smile, she softly expressed her gratitude: “It is beautiful, so nice, thank you,” she told the photographer.
After Rezchikov shared their encounter online, the video quickly went viral, amassing more than 4 millions views and earning Meen the nickname “the most well-known cleaner in Thailand.”
It has been reported that Meen has worked various jobs to support her family before securing her cleaning position about a year ago.
She initially planned to work in this stable role until retirement, but her unexpected viral fame has opened doors she never imagined, like becoming a model.
Her story caught the attention of Nong Chat, one of Thailand’s most famous make-up artists, who has more than 1.7 million followers on social media.
Nong recently invited her to become a model for his brand.
For the first time in her life, Meen took part in a professional photo shoot. With Nong’s styling, she successfully recreated an iconic look from the Thai horror film, Art of the Devil 2.

Nong’s social media account now features promotional images of Meen modelling various products from foundation to eyeshadow.
His posts also showcased her before-and-after transformations, highlighting her identity as a street cleaner turned model.
Many netizens marvel at how Meen “won life’s lottery,” with some Chinese online viewers commenting on her natural supermodel aura.
One person said: “She is a natural-born supermodel. Truly stunning, with such a unique vibe.”
“Look at her tattoos, she gives off fashion energy,” said another.
A third person said: “Raising two kids at 28 is not easy. I wish her all the best!”


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Thai street cleaner turns model after spotted by photographer, scouted by make-up artist

A street cleaner in Thailand has become a model after being spotted by a Russian photographer. Photo: SCMP composite/IG@nongchat

Street cleaner Meen checks out one of the photos the Russian photographer took of her. Photo: Handout

Meen was quickly snapped up by one of Thailand’s most famous make-up artists, Nong Chat. Photo: Handout

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A fan of a Chinese boy band who threw herself at the group’s moving car has raised safety and privacy concerns. Photo: SCMP composite/Sohu/Douyin

The boy band Teens in Times is hugely popular with young people in China. Photo: Handout

The hyped-up female fan is seen lunging at the band’s car before falling to the ground. Photo: Handout

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The eight-month-old online celebrity chimpanzee is popular with visitors. Photo: Handout

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A Chinese court has reopened a high-profile case involving the abduction of an infant, where four men forcibly entered a home and brutally assaulted the family. 
Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Baidu

The mother and her long-lost son, middle, faced the media after the court hearing. Photo: Baidu

The victim, Jiang Jiaru, second from right, is demanding 6.77 million yuan (US$926,000) from the defendants, emphasising that the immense suffering he endured cannot be quantified by any amount. Photo: Baidu

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A former combat sports athlete in China who keeps a buffalo in his rented flat says it rarely bothers his neighbours. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

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Little Bear the dog and buffalo Bull Demon King play in the bedroom. Photo: Baidu

News

People & Culture

Head-turning single mother-of-two ‘wins lottery of life’ after unlikely encounter while she was sweeping streets of Bangkok’s Chinatown


Head-turning single mother-of-two ‘wins lottery of life’ after unlikely encounter while she was sweeping streets of Bangkok’s Chinatown.


Thailand